Machine attachment



(No M0661.) '3 Sheets-Sheet 1. O. SPIRO.

TYPE WRITING MACHINE ATTACHMENT.

NO. 536,766. Patented Apr. 2, 1895.

(No Modl.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

. O. SPIRO.

TYPE WRITING MACHINE ATTACHMENT.

No. 536,766. Patented Apr. 2, 1895.

wzmsses 6M5. SW

( ywd.

(No Model.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 3. G. SPIRO. TYPE WRITING MACHINE ATTACHMENT. No. 536,766.

Patented Apr. 2, 1895.

fliaaw. Spiro.

UNITED STATES PATENT OF ICE,

CHARLES SPIRO, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

TYPE-WRlTlNG-MACHINE ATTACHMENT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 536,766, dated April 22, 1895.

Application filed October 15, 1894- Serial No. 525 ,941- (No model.)

To aZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that 1, CHARLES Srmo, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, in the county of New York, State of New York, have invented certain newand useful Improvements in Type-Writing-Machine Attachments, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention pertains to type writing machines having for its object primarily to provide an attachment to an ordinary type writing machine, such for instance as the bar lock, although in no way restricted to its connection with such form of machine, whereby symbols or signals may be produced or transmitted electrically, simultaneously with the printing of the letter or character correspond ing to such symbol or signal on the paper, by the simple movement of a key lever as in the ordinary act of writing with such machines.

This application is in many respects similar to that filed by me on the 9th day of October, 1894, Serial No. 525,413that is, telegraphic signal or symbol producing devices are provided which are readily applied to the type writing machine and connected with a key-lever or some part movable in the act of making an impression on the paper on the platen so that said devices will work simultaneously with or be actuated by the movement of a key-lever, type bar, or some moving part. The device is placed in circuit with a telegraphic instrument of known construction so that the movement of the key lever actuates the type bar in the ordinary manner to make the impression on the paper on the platen and at the same time transmits a message consisting of dots and dashes, &c., in accordance with the well known Morse alphabet now in general use, or any other well known or desired symbol or signal. By this means it will be seen that there is less liability to err in sending a message, the Work is less laborious and the operator has a positive and unmistakable record of the message sent, and mistakes, should they occur, which is not likely by my method, can be more readily rectified. In the present system, I employ a rotary disk or collar constructed to cause the production of the signals or symbols and either a motor or mechanical devices actuated by the moving of the key lever, are employed to actuate the shaft carrying the collars or disks. Means are provided for disconnecting the type writing machine from the telegraphic instrument so that either may be employed independently of the other and each allowed to perform its ordinary work in the usual way.

The present form is but one of several which may be devised for accomplishing the desired end. The form herein illustrated is simplein the extreme and can be applied to the machine without any material change in the structure thereof. Y

Other objects and advantages of the invention' will appear in the following description and the novel features thereof will be particularly pointed out in the claims.

The invention in its present form is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which, with the letters and numerals of reference marked thereon, form a part of this specification, and in which- Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view showing sufficient of the parts of a type writing machine for a clear understanding of the construction and application thereto of my present improvement. Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the. type writing machine from front to rear. Fig. 3 is a detail in side elevation on an enlarged scale. Fig. 4 is a perspective detail on an enlarged scale of one of the symbol or signal producing devices and the parts cooperating therewith and with a key lever.

Like letters and numerals of reference refer to like parts in all the figures of the drawings.

Referring now to the details of the draw ings by letters and numerals A designates the frame, B the platen, O the key levers, D the type bars, and E the universal bail of a type writing machine of any well known or approved construction and in this instance being shown as that form of type writing machine known as the bar look. I

The type writing machine with such exceptions as will be hereinafter more specifically set forth is as a whole the same as is the machine now upon the market and the printing is done in the same manner. My improvements are readily applied to such machines without any material change in the structure thereof.

My improvement as illustrated in the present application is extremely simple and is constructed as follows: Upon each side of the machine, preferably in front of the pivots of 5 the type bars are the brackets F of hard rubber or some suitable insulating material and journaled in said brackets is the shaft G extending transversely of the machine and fast upon this shaft are the collars H one for each IO key lever and this collar or disk is formed upon its periphery in conformity with a symbol or signal corresponding with the letter on the type bar connected with said key lever; in this instance being shown as notched or serrated to transmit a letter of the Morse alphabet but it will of course be understood that the periphery of the collar or disk can be formed to conform to any system of symbol or signal transmission. Each collar or 2:) disk is provided with a disk or collar H of insulating material the periphery of which is flush with the outer periphery of the collar H. It will be understood that each collar or disk H has its periphery notched or serrated differently so as to produce the dots, spaces and dashes in accordance with the well known Morse alphabet.

I is a shaft journaled in the brackets F above the shaft Gand upon this shaft or rod 0 which is fixedly mounted in its bearings are mounted the devices designed for co-operation with the notched collars or disks to produce the symbols or signals. Each collar or disk H is provided with a lug or analogous 5 provision h of insulating material against which a portion of the co-operating part normally engages so as to prevent contact with the metallic portion of the collar and thus the circuit is normally broken. It would be well perhaps to first explain the connection between the type writing machine and the telegraphic instrument. Therefore, referring to Fig.1, J is a telegraphic instrument of well known or approved form designed to be ar- 5 ranged preferably in close proximity to the type writing machine as shown but the relative arrangement is not essential. One of the binding postsjof this telegraphic instrumentis connected by wires j with the binding posts j on one of the brackets F and the other binding postj of the said bracket. is connected by wire J with the battery J and this in turn by wire J with a telegraphic instrument J at a distant station, the other binding post of said instrument being connected by wire J with the ground, the other binding post of the instrument J being connected by wirej with the ground, all as shown in Fig. 1. The binding post 7' is connected by wire with the rod I and the binding postj is connected by wire 7' with the shaft G as shown more clearly in Fig. 2.

Now returning to the devices which co-opcrate with the disk or collar 11 for producing the symbol or signal, it will be seen upon reference to Figs. 2 and 4 that upon the rod Iis a collar K fast thereon in any suitable manner and L is a curved arm loosely mounted at one end upon said rod, a spring L being pro vided as shown in said Figs. 2 and eto normally exert its influence to force the arm L in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 4. This arm L is provided upon its under face with a lug or projection Zwhich normally contacts with the insulated lug on the collar II. The lower end of this arm L is provided with a horizontal extension I and with a shoulder Z as seen in Fig. 4 while pivoted upon a pivot m, held in said arm L, is an inverted L-shaped dog M, the lower end of which is designed to normally engage with a stop lug N which is mounted in the key lever for vertical adjust ment in any suitable manner, one convenient form being illustrated in said Fig. 4.

With the parts constructed and arranged substantially as above described, the operation will be as follows: The shaft G may be continuously rotated by means of a motor or other mechanism, asimple form of motor propulsion being shown in Fig. 4, in which 1 is the motor, 2 a band pulley on the shaft G, and 3 a belt connecting the same with the motor; or the said shaft G may be rotated intermittingly by mechanism which will be hereinafter described. As shown in Figs. 2 and 4, the key lever is in its normal position, i. e., elevated. The projection Z of the arm L isin contact with the insulating lug h (i. e., if the shaft G be constructed to be rotated intermittingly). Of course if the shaft G is designed to rotate continuously the parts Z and h are not always in contact but in both instances the lug Z is held out of contact with the metallic portion of the collar 11 by reason of the dog M and stop N as shown. Now when the key lever is depressed the stop N moving therewith moves away from the dog M when the spring L immediately throws the lower end of the arm L toward the collar H and as the shaft G revolves the lug Z which is made to overlap the junction between the collar 11 and insulating collar H, rides over the periphery of the same and as it engages with the metallic portion it transmits through the telegraphic instrument a symbol or signal in accordance with the construction of the collar H, it being understood that the lug Zdoes not engage in the notches or serrations of the collar l-l. Consequently when it is opposite such notches it engages only with the insulating collar and the circuit is broken, being completed only when said lug rides over the points on the collar H which are made wider or narrower to transmit dots or dashes as will be seen in Fig. 4. As the key lever returns to its normalposition thelug hengagingthelugl, moves the arm L and dog M in the reverse direction so that the dog M may be in position to again engage with the stop N to hold the lug of the arm I. out of engagement with the metallic portion of the collar II, the stop pin 1 engaging the shoulderof the arm L to limit the movement of the dog M, the said pin P projecting laterally from the vertical arm of the dog M as seen in Figs. 2 and at. It will thus be seen that upon each movement of a key lever an impression of the type connected therewith is made upon the paper on the platen and by the same movement of the key-lever a telegraphic signal or symbol is transmitted through the medium of the mechanical devices above described; it being understood of course that the message is received at the other end of the line by dots and dashes, dad, the same as if the message had been sent in the ordinary manner by the manipulation of the key of a telegraphic instrument.

One efficient means for intermittingly rotating the shaft G is herein illustrated. As seen in Figs. 2 and 3, the universal bail E is provided with a forwardly extending arm E, the forward end of which is provided with a laterally extending portion E which projects beyond the side of the frame as seen in Fig. 3 and which is arranged beneath a hook or analogous device 0 projecting substantially horizontally from the arm or lever P which is pivoted at its lower end upon a pivot 19 held in thebracket F and at its upper end this arm or lever carries a toothed segment P, the said lever being provided with a handle P by which it may be manipulated when desired and with an inwardly extending projection or pin 19' which is connected by the spring Q with a lug or extension A on the frame A of the machine as seen in Figs. 1 and 3, the pin p being provided with an insulating collar p as seenin Figs. 1 and 3 around which the end of thespriug is connected so as to prevent electrical connection with the frame of the machine. The pin 19 is adapted to move under the inclined foot or lower end B of the arm R, the upper end of which is curved as seen at R and terminates in a hook R the said arm being provided with vertical slots r engaged by the screws 1'' passing therethrough and held in the bracket F all as clearly shown in Fig. 3. The toothed segment P meshes with a pinion S loose on the extended end of the shaft Gr, while upon said shaft close to the bracket F is a ratchet wheel T having projecting outwardly therefrom the projection or pin T, and mounted above the same is a pawl U adapted to be held against said ratchet wheel by means of a spring a as shown in Fig. 3. Loose upon the extended end of the shaft G is an arm S one end of which is bifurcated as seen in Fig. 3, and in this bifurcated end is pivoted upon a pivotf an arm or dog S In operation when the key lever is depressed the universal bail is rocked in the usual manner and its extension E engaging upon the under side of the arm 0 of the lever P rocks the same forwardand as the same moves forward its pin 19 engaging under the inclined or cam-foot R of the arm R raisesthe same to its utmost limit so that its hook at the upper end is raised clear of the pin T on the ratchet wheel T. The parts in Fig. 3 are shown in the position they assume when a key lever is depressed. As the key the other end of the line can take.

lever is depressed the ratchet wheel T which is fast upon its shaft is held against movement by its pawl U. The arm S, however, moves freely without rotating the shaft until its pawl or arm S comes in contact with the pin T on the ratchet wheel and trips over said pin as seen in Fig. 3. Now as the pressure on the key lever is removed and the same assumes its normal position the spring Q pulling the arm G back to its normal position its segment P engaging the pinion S rotates the pinion and arm'in the opposite direction and the pawl S engaging the pin T moves the ratchet wheel T and shaft in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig.3 and gives the same a complete revolution in such direction and as the parts assume their normal position the arm R drops and its hooked end engages over said pin to lock the parts in position to be likewise actuated upon the depression of another key lever.

Under ordinary circumstances an operator of a type writing machine will manipulate the key much more rapidly than the party at It will be therefore necessary to provide a retarding mechanism and when such is required any suitable means for accomplishing the same may be employed. In this instance, I have shown one of the forms that may be employed for this purpose. It comprises a worm-gear V on the end ,of the shaft G which meshes with a worm Z on a vertical shaft V suitably mounted and carrying a fan V as shown in Figs. 1 and 4. This retarding mechanism may be employed whether the shaft G be rotated continuously as by motor or by the mechanism hereinbefore just described.

Modifications in detail may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages.

g It will be noticed that by the mechanism hereinbefore described a signal cannot be transmitted except upon a full depression of the key lever sufficient to print the letter upon the paper on the platen. This will be found important for the reason that any partial depression of a key lever as by anything falling thereon or from any other cause no disturbance of the telegraphic instrument will occur.

In order to throw the telegraphic instrument out of connection with the type writing machine so that either may be used independently 0f the other, I provide a lever W having a handle W and pivoted at w to the bracket F, the said lever being a bell crank lever and its short arm provided with a hook or analogous means as seen in Fig. 3 to engage over the pin p on the arm P when the key lever is depressed, a pin to on the bracket limiting the movement of the said lever all as shown in Figs. 1 and 3.

What I claim is 1. The combination of a key-lever, a rotatable shaft, a symbol disk thereon and a spring actuated pivoted part mounted above and extended below said disk and provided with a pivoted latch and released for operation by the movement of the key-lever, substantially as specified.

2. The combination of a key-lever, a rotatable shaft, a symbol disk thereon and a pivoted part extended below said disk for cooperation with said disk and provided with a pivoted latch and removably held out of contact with said disk by the key-lever.

3. The combination of akey-lever, a rotatable shaft, a retarding mechanism therefor, a symbol disk on the shaft and a pivoted part extended below and normally held away from said disk but liberated by the movement of a key-lever through the medium of a pivoted latch to cooperate with the disk to produce a signal.

4. The combination of a key-lever, a rotatable shaft, a symbol disk thereon, with insulating collar, a pivoted part extended below and normally held out of contact with the disk by means of the key-lever and a latch carried by said pivoted part and a spring acting on said part to throw it into engagement with the disk when liberated to produce a signal.

5. The combination of the rotary shaft and the symbol disk thereon, with a key-lever, a pivoted part mounted for contact with the disk and a pivoted dog on said part for engagement with means on the key-lever to hold said part away from the disk.

6. The combination of a key-lever having a stop, a rotatable shaft, a symbol disk thereon, with peripheral insulating lug and a pivoted part having a lug to engage therewith and to ride over said disk and adapted to be held against said stop.

7. An improved symbol and insulating disk consisting of a symbol disk of conductive material and an adjacent disk of non conducting material, the peripheries of these disks being flush with each other, the signal producing portion of the insulating disk having a projecting lug.

8. The combination with a signal disk of conductive material and an insulating disk of the same diameter provided with a projection, of a contact arm having a lug adapted to ride upon the peripheries of both disks.

9. The combination of a key-lever, a universal bail, a rotatable shaft with retarding mechanism, gearing interposed between the shaft and bail and a verticallyqnovable part having cam portion engaged by means movable with the gearing.

10. The combination of a key-lever, universal bail, a rotatable shaft, interposed gearing operated by power exerted on the key-lever, a ratchet wheel fast on the shaft and carrying a pin, and means movable independent of the shaft for rotating said ratchet wheel in one direction.

11. The combination of a key-lever, a universal bail, a rotatable shaft, interposed gearing, a ratchet wheel fast on the shaft and carrying a pin, means movable independent of the shaft for rotating said ratchet wheel in one direction, and a vertically-movable arm having a cam'portion at its lower end and a hook at its upper end.

12. In a type writing machine and in combination with a key-lever thereof, parallel shafts one of which is rotatable and carries signal-producing devices the other of which is provided with contact arms extending below the first shaft and controlled bya device upon the key-lever.

13. In a type writing machine and in combin-ation with a key-lever of the same, parallel shafts arranged above the key-lever and one above the other, one of said shafts being provided with a rotatable signal device and an insulating disk with a projection and the other of said shafts carryinga pendent springpressed contact arm having a pivoted dog for co-operating with a stop on the key-lever.

14- In a type writing machine and in combination with a key-lever thereof, a rotatable signal device, retarding mechanism connected with said shaft, means for rotating said shaft, and a pendent spring-pressed contact arm having a pivoted latch and normally held out of operation by a stop on the said key-lever.

15. The combination with a key-lever of a type writing machine, of a stop, a rotatable signal disk shaft, an insulating disk and projection thereon, and a pendent pivoted contact arm having a pivoted dog for free movement in one direction over the stop on the key-lever.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES SPIRO.

\Vitnesses:

J. B. PRICE, H. B. FINN. 

